Attending the first online therapy session is always a difficult experience. Most people don’t know how to begin or what to expect. The situation can be even more difficult if you are online since you’re not talking to the therapist face-to-face. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that difficult. Here are some tips that can help you communicate with your therapist effectively and make the most out of your first session:

1. Take Time to Know the Therapist

Most people don’t think this is an important part of therapy but understanding your therapist and their background can help you feel more grounded. For example, if you are struggling with social anxiety disorder and the therapist says they specialize in the field, you will feel more at ease.

Most online therapists will provide a short introduction to help you understand their background and give an idea about their personality. That will help you feel more comfortable with the therapy session.

2. Start a Discussion

Starting a discussion with a stranger online in such circumstances can feel a little uncomfortable and awkward. However, the initial discussion is a hurdle that you must overcome. There are several ways to approach this. Usually, a therapist will start asking guiding questions to get to know you better. Their goal is to make you comfortable and get a read on your personality as well as issues. The form you filled out earlier already provides some information to them but that’s not enough for them to start helping you.

It is important to meet your therapist halfway by communicating with them honestly. You don’t want to give them a mistaken impression of your circumstances or issues. If they ask questions, answer them as honestly as they can. If the topic is too difficult to discuss, you can always say you’re not comfortable and don’t wish to discuss it.

The therapist will move on to another topic and you can revisit the issue at a later date.

3. Ask Questions

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t be afraid to ask them. For example, if you want to know more about the therapist’s qualifications, ask them. If you want to know more about their experience with your particular concern, ask them.

Asking questions also helps improve communication between the patient and the therapist. It allows the therapist to understand what your concerns are and address them fully in the first session itself.

When it comes to online therapy, many people are hesitant and wonder if this medium is effective. You can ask your therapist directly about how effective eTherapy can be for your particular concern.

4. Setting Goals

Setting goals is an important aspect of beginner sessions. What do you want to work on? Which issue do you want to resolve first? Setting a goal allows the therapist to create a guided path and plan every session.

For example, do you want to treat your intense social anxiety? Then that should be the goal of your therapy with the counselor. Do you want to address negative and depressive thoughts? If so, that will be the goal you work towards.

Sometimes, patients don’t understand their mental health concerns. They don’t know why they experience certain symptoms like self-sabotage, extreme self-criticism, and more. In such cases, a therapist may take a few sessions to come up with a goal. But usually, this is decided in the first session.

5. Confidentiality

Online counselors follow the same ethics and guidelines as traditional counselors do. You can expect everything you say to your therapist to remain confidential. The therapist will not share the information with anyone unless this information is harmful to you.

Regardless of your age, you can expect the therapist to respect your privacy and confidence. They will not share what you say with anyone unless they have your express permission.

6. Technical Issues

Technology improves every day but technical issues can still happen. You may lose connection, experience glitches, or face a system downtime during your session. They are an inevitable part of using technology. Some issues may pop up on your end and some issues may pop up on the therapist’s side.

While technical issues can be disruptive, don’t get frustrated. Resolve them calmly and if they can’t be resolved quickly, reschedule your session with the therapist.

If you experience technical issues in your first session with the therapist, don’t be discouraged and give up. Like all problems, these can be fixed and you will be able to attend sessions smoothly. Good eTherapy platforms are well-maintained and will run smoothly.

Attending the first session is a positive step towards better mental health. All you need to do is to remain on this path and continue forward. Eventually, you will get used to this medium of communication and hit your stride.

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Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Many people have started to attend online therapy instead of regular face-to-face therapy. This option has existed for several years, but the pandemic has made it more popular. However, many struggle to get what they need from this form of therapy and are forced to abandon it or look for alternatives. We recommend the following tips to make the sessions more successful:

1. Commit to the Therapy Online

It is important to take therapy seriously, even if you’re attending it from the comfort of your bedroom. That’s one of the biggest reasons why therapy doesn’t work out for some people. They don’t take it as seriously as they should, wasting time and money.

Be open and truthful in your sessions, implement the positive steps the therapist has recommended, and utilize the different coping mechanisms recommended as well. Doing that will help you get the most out of these sessions.

2. Work on Your Environment: Therapy Online

The biggest advantage of online therapy is that you can attend from any location without problems. You can attend the session from home, office, at a friend’s house, or even at a café. However, it is important to ensure your environment is comfortable and doesn’t cause you any undue distress.

For example, if you suffer from social anxiety, a noisy café may not be the most ideal place to attend therapy. However, if you want to be around people and find comfort in busy places, consider attending sessions in cafes.

Depressed individuals often feel more downtrodden and weighed down if their environment is messy or disorganized. Attending sessions in a messy room may not be an ideal choice.

By making sure your environment is suitable and puts you in a good mood, you can improve the overall effectiveness of the sessions.

3. State of Your Body: Therapy Online

Sometimes, therapy requires a lot of focus and energy, especially if you’re discussing difficult topics. It doesn’t make sense to attend sessions when your body is uncomfortable or deprived of rest or food. Make sure you grab a bite to eat and drink enough water to stay hydrated. It is also important to ensure you are well-rested so you can focus on the session comfortably.

If you’re ill, have a headache, or are in any sort of physical distress that will distract you during sessions, it is a good idea to postpone them as much as possible.

4. Consistency

Therapy is an ongoing process. Like any medical aid, you need to complete the course to get the maximum benefit. However, many people drop therapy without resolving the issues or taking a long break. Unfortunately, that does more harm than good.

Don’t skip sessions unless you are unwell and have no other alternative. Schedule your sessions at regular intervals and make sure too much time doesn’t lapse between them.

Consistency can help you recover faster and reduce the number of overall sessions as well. Inconsistent sessions make things difficult for both the doctor and the patient.

5. No Disturbance

When you attend therapy, you need to focus on the session. Put away anything that is distracting or can disrupt the session, including phones and other devices. Make sure your friends and family know not to disturb you. Let people know to only call you if there is some sort of emergency.

When you’re in an online therapy session, you are focused on your therapist and your mind is focused on the task at hand. Switching gears at this point can hamper your progress and cause a lot of frustration. Create an environment where you won’t be disturbed to have a successful therapy session.

6. Be Honest During Sessions: Therapy Online

Few things are as important as being honest with your therapist. You will want to convey your concerns and issues clearly so your therapist can understand what they are dealing with.

You don’t want to mislead the counselor because the advice they offer may end up being faulty. Most therapists know how to dig deep and ask guiding questions to ensure you’re more comfortable being honest about your concerns.

7. Don’t Stop Therapy Online Immediately

If you start seeing signs of improvement and feel like you have overcome your issues, don’t stop therapy immediately. It can be tempting to stop because you want to save money and time, but staying is a good choice.

You may have other underlying issues to address or may not be ready to pull away from the professional support just yet. Attend a few more sessions and only stop when you are completely confident in your recovery.

These tips will help you get the most from your online therapy and ensure you are on the right track. If you feel like you’re not benefiting from your sessions, consider these points carefully and give it some time. You may just need to alter your approach.

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Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Teenagers face many uncomfortable or distressing situations. They are still developing and the pressures of performing well in school, maintaining a social circle, and trying to grow into their own personality can be very stressful. Almost every teenager can benefit from some therapy but those with mental health concerns need assistance urgently.

The world of mental health has expanded to include online therapy in recent years. Instead of visiting a therapist’s office, patients can attend sessions from the comfort and privacy of their homes. Many parents want to consider this option for their teenagers but are concerned it wouldn’t be the right choice.

Is Online Therapy The Right Choice?

Experts agree that online therapy is a good choice for teenagers, especially in this day and age. The current generation is full of digital natives who are very comfortable communicating via the internet. They are accustomed to speaking with friends from different corners of the world and communicating purely through text.

In fact, some studies show that teenagers are more willing to access mental health services if they’re available online than traditional face-to-face therapy. Because teenagers are so comfortable with this mode of communication, they’re more likely to open up and respond positively.

Some studies also show that kids prefer different types of therapy for different situations. For example, if they want to discuss something very personal and close to their heart like their sexuality or gender identity, abuse, or suicidal ideation they prefer online therapy.

However, they wish to discuss things like bullying, conflict in peer groups, guidance on education, or career, they prefer face-to-face therapy. All surveys indicate that teenagers are simply more willing to try therapy to begin with if they go through an online platform.

What are the Benefits of Online Therapy?

Studies and surveys prove the efficacy of online therapy but what are the benefits? Many parents what to get the best solution for their children and don’t know if e-therapy is the best. Here’s a look at some of the benefits that can help you make an informed decision:

• Familiar Medium – Online therapy is beneficial because the medium of communication is familiar and comfortable. Children are less likely to be nervous and consider this medium low-risk in comparison to others.
• Convenience – Kids have less time on their hands than most people realize. Between homework, projects, socialization, and other activities, they rarely have the energy to invest in attending face-to-face sessions. Online therapy is convenient because they can attend sessions while relaxing in their room. There’s no need for them to visit a therapist’s office.
• Privacy – Teenagers rarely want their friends or peers to know they’re attending therapy because they don’t want to face any sort of mockery or discrimination. Online therapy offers a lot of privacy and anonymity, which can reduce the risk of people finding out.
• Affordable – Sometimes parents are unable to get their children help because traditional therapy is expensive. Most e-therapy platforms are more affordable than face-to-face therapy because of the lack of overhead costs like maintaining an office or hiring staff. That makes e-therapy a more convenient option for parents as well.

However, it is important to choose the right platform and ensure the platform you use has reliable, qualified, and safe therapists. Well-established organizations like eTherapy Pro are a good choice.

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Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.